18 Comments

“I don’t have to ignore my grief to get on with my life. It’s all woven together.” Yes! This, exactly.

Congratulations on beginning something beautiful on a day that brings so many challenging memories. Even though I didn’t know Mike, your writing is an amazing tribute to him. ❤️

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Thank you Maddie! I know you feel this with your loss as well. Grateful we can acknowledge our human experiences together...... ❤️

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Beautiful and loving tribute to a great guy we've all had the privilege and honor to get to know thru TL. My heart aches for y'all but at the same time I find myself smiling, getting choked reading your prose, because of your resilience and strength. One Day At A Time; y'all will continue to endure! Peace and love! 😎

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Thank you Keith! This means the world to me. After all the feedback on this post, I am really at peace that I have honored Mike in the best possible way. I feel so lucky in lives on in so many. Thanks for your encouragement!

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Your beautiful writing continues to inspire me as a writer. Blessings my friend.

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Thank you Brian, for your support!!

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So beautifully expressed.

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Thanks Kathleen....thinking of you and your ‘anniversary’ dates as well..... ❤️

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Congratulations, Sue, on an amazing year, and congratulations again for all you have built and become in these seven years. ❤ Stay warm. xo

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Thank you Sandra Ann for your support and for always teaching me something with your writing. Both contribute to a life better lived for me. ❤️

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Right back at you, my friend. Thank you for those kind words. Day made. xo

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Sue.......I recently celebrated the one year anniversary of the loss of my sweet, sweet Joan (10/29). To honor Joan, I attended a Lorenna McKennett concert, one of Joan's favorite artists. Joan and I used to banter back and forth very frequently as to who loved the other more. We truly had the very deepest love for each other. During the concert, thinking about the pain I had experienced over the past year, and listening to the beautiful Celtic music that Joan so loved, the thought came to me -- "Joan will not have to suffer through the pain that I have endured suffering from her loss." Somehow that thought brought a little comfort to me, especially in the grandeur of Lorenna's special music.

Thank you........Don Leedy, West Chester, OH

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Don, thank you for sharing this! It is super important what you have said here - both your way of honoring Joan by attending the Lorenna McKennett concert (something I am sure made Joan smile) and the fact that we don’t want our loved ones to suffer, and you surviving Joan spares her from that particular kind of suffering in losing you. The kids and I discussed in the early days that at least Mike did not have to suffer a devastating loss by losing one of us, after already losing his beloved mom when he was in his early 20’s. We wanted to spare him from that. Not that it was our choice of course, but we did take solace in the fact that he would never feel that kind of pain again. So I completely get you on this, and I am glad Lorenna’s music broke that open for you. Thanks again for sharing.

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This is one of my favorite TL posts. Mike was indeed spectacular and the love and light y'all brought into this world fills many many hearts, this one included ❤️. You are also spectacular

- thank you for sharing these words and your heart with us and for being brave enough to be completely vulnerable. Thank you for reminding me what gratitude is.🙏 Sending you peace love and joy

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Thank you my friend!!

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What a beautiful tribute to your Mike. Thank you for sharing.

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Thank you Sally - I am sure this post made you think of your Highly as well. We are honoring ALL those we have lost and their never-ending impact on our lives! ♥️

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Thank you for the surprise letter this morning! Wonderful, our lives are like rings on the water, reacjphing out to others. Wonderful how your family live in Mike, and he in you!

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